Sam Neill Heads to Alcatraz

Sam Neill (Jurassic Park) has been named by Deadline as one of the stars of the upcoming J.J. Abrams television pilot, “Alcatraz.”

Neill will join Sarah Jones, Jorge Garcia, Jonny Coyne and Jason Butler Harner in the series, which is said to focus on a group of escapees from the world’s most famous prison who disappear from captivity in the past and reappear in present day.

Elizabeth Sarnoff wrote the spec script and final draft. Steven Lilien and Bryan Wynbrandt also wrote drafts of the script.

Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions and Warner Bros. TV are behind the drama. Sarnoff serves as showrunner and executive produces with Abrams and Bryan Burk. Lilien and Wynbrandt will co-executive produce and Danny Cannon will direct the pilot.

Filming is scheduled to begin in January in San Francisco and Vancouver.